Feb 20th, 2013

The Sarah is a 132.43 carat, natural fancy vivid yellow, VS1 (Very Good polish, Very Good symmetry) diamond (graded by the GIA). Many incredibly valuable and historical diamonds have been discovered in South Africa and that’s where this magnificent rough diamond weighing 218 carat was acquired from one of the local diggings. It was decided to transform the rough into a cushion shape (retaining as much weight as possible) with a radiant cut pavilion giving it more brilliance.

Diamond cutting is a stressful, time-consuming and precise operation and demands focus and discipline.

The responsibility of cutting a stone of this caliber is enormous and it was decided that master diamond cutter, Jean Chandesais, was the man to provide the mastery cutting skills to obtain such perfection, together with a high 70% yield. The high yield isn’t too uncommon in the world of diamond cutting, but because the rough and resulting stone was so large, it is definitely notable. Moreover, since 70% of 218 carat is 153.60 carat (with the weight of the Sarah being 132 carats), it is probable that one or two smaller stones were also cut from the rough.

It was estimated that the rough stone would take approximately 16 weeks to polish. Finally the polishing wheel was prepared for the closing steps in the metamorphosis of this exceptional stone. A mixture of oil and diamond dust, gathered from the mother stone during the polishing process, was spread onto the wheel and like a butterfly emerging from its chrysalis this magnificent Vivid Yellow Diamond was burnished by its own discarded skin. For the last time the stone was gently cleaned and carefully placed on the scale. Its finished weight 132.43 carat. The anxious hours of watching and trepidation as the diamond unfolded its secrets were swept away in a wave of relief and jubilation.